AQW 42878/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 20/03/2026
Answered On Date: 30/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any plans his Department and the Education Authority have to respond to the Northern Ireland Audit Office report Raising Concerns in the Northern Ireland Public Sector, published on 19 March 2026, particularly with reference to ensuring there are pathways to ensuring investigations on issues raised by whistleblowers are independent.

Answer:

My Department adheres to the Raising Concerns at Work Policy (Public Interest Disclosure / Whistleblowing) available online. Officials are currently considering all elements of the report, including ensuring that pathways are available to facilitate independence and impartiality and will respond to the Northern Ireland Audit Office in due course.